#RealCollegeCA Survey Results

Spring 2025

Disaggregating by Gender

This section uses results from the #RealCollegeCA survey to examine how Fullerton College students experience food insecurity, housing insecurity, and homelessness, with a focus on gender identity disparities.

About the Students

Female students were overrepresented in the survey sample relative to their share of the overall student population (64% vs. 51%), while male students were underrepresented (32% vs. 41%).

Figure 1: Respondents by Gender

Figure 1

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity in 2025 varies across gender identities when compared to the campuswide average of 40%.

  • Transgender students report the highest level (48%), exceeding the institutional rate.
  • Non-binary students (42%) fall slightly above the overall average.
  • Female students (41%) are roughly at the campuswide rate.
  • Male students (39%) fall just below the institutional average.

Overall, food insecurity is most elevated among transgender and non-binary students, while female and male students experience rates near the campuswide figure.

Figure 2: Food Insecurity by Gender

Figure 2

Housing Insecurity

Housing insecurity in 2025 varies across gender identities when compared to the campuswide average of 54%.

  • Transgender students report the highest level (62%), exceeding the institutional rate.
  • Non-binary students (58%) fall moderately above the overall average.
  • Female students (55%) are near the campuswide figure.
  • Male students (53%) fall just below the institutional average.

Overall, housing insecurity is most elevated among transgender and non-binary students, while female and male students experience rates close to the campuswide average.

Figure 3: Housing Insecurity by Gender

Housing Insecurity by Gender

Figure 3

Homelessness

Homelessness in 2025 varies across gender identities when compared to the campuswide average of 18%.

  • Transgender students report the highest level (27%), exceeding the institutional rate.
  • Male students (22%) and non-binary students (22%) also fall above the campuswide average.
  • Female students (15%) report homelessness at a rate below the institutional figure.

Overall, homelessness is most elevated among transgender, male, and non-binary students, while female students experience rates below the campuswide average. This pattern is different than that of food and housing insecurities.

Figure 4: Homelessness by Gender

Homelessness by Gender

Figure 4

At Least One Insecurity

Rates of experiencing at least one basic needs insecurity in 2025 varies across gender identities when compared to the campuswide average of 62%.

  • Transgender students report the highest level (75%), well above the institutional rate.
  • Non-binary students (66%) fall moderately above the overall average.
  • Female students (63%) are near the campuswide figure.
  • Male students (61%) fall just below the institutional average.

Overall, basic needs insecurity is most elevated among transgender and non-binary students, while female and male students experience rates close to the campuswide average.

Figure 5: At Least One Insecurity by Gender

Any Insecurity by Gender

Figure 5

Overview of Basic Needs Insecurity by Gender

Across all basic needs in 2025, clear disparities appear across gender identities. Transgender students consistently experience the highest levels of food insecurity, housing insecurity, homelessness, and at least one basic needs insecurity, with rates exceeding campuswide averages across every measure. Non-binary students also show elevated levels across domains, with food insecurity, housing insecurity, homelessness, and overall basic needs insecurity, all falling above institutional benchmarks.

Female and male students experience comparatively lower levels of basic needs insecurity, with rates that generally align with or fall slightly below campuswide averages across all measures. These groups show less variation and substantially lower need relative to transgender and non-binary students.

Overall, basic needs insecurity is most pronounced among transgender and non-binary students, while female and male students face comparatively lower levels of need across all domains.

Figure 6: Overall Basic Needs Insecurity by Gender

Figure 6

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